Logical plaything for improving spatial orientation and joint for coupling flexible plates

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to spatial figures, figural arrangement or logical plaything for improving stereoscopic vision comprising bordering lattice plates (2) in a parallelepipedon form, wherein movable elements (1) being of nearly similar form to the enclosed space are accommodated. The number of the elements are one piece less than the elements having room in the available space. Movable elements (1) are distinguished by symbols, colours. Movable elements (1) are compressed while assembling and pressing flexibly to each other and the lattice plates (2). Movable elements (1) keep their spatial position against their weight. A coupling means is also disclosed for joining up angularly the flexible plates, which coupling consists of ribs (14) parallel with the plane of the plate (2) and perpendicular slots (12). These elements are arranged on the edges of the plates (2) and alternatingly can be snapped to each other.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a spatial logical plaything for developingstereoscopic vision and having a parallelepipedon-like shape, comprisingmovable elements of similar form filling up the available space inside,but leaving a volume non-occupied corresponding to the volume of amovable element. Said movable elements do not displace on the effect oftheir own weight.

The invention relates furthermore to a coupling structure for joiningflexible plates angularly especially lattice side plates of said spatiallogical plaything according to the invention.

PRIOR ART

There are known a lot of logical playthings comprising elementsdisplaceable in a rectangular parallelepipedon formed space surroundedby frames or lattice plates, and the number of the elements is one pieceless then the elements having room in the available space. By utilizingthis single non occupied blank room it is possible to move the elementsdistinguished by symbols, colours for realizing a possibleconfiguration, which is the end purpose of the play.

Such kind of plaything is described for example by the U.S. Pat. No.3,845,959, furthermore the DE-PS 2,152,360 and finally the U.S. Pat. No.4,036,503. The characterizing features of these prior art playthings areas follows:

The essence of the patent specification U.S. Pat. No. 3,845,959 is aclosed, expediently cubical external case, wherein a central block withsimilar formation is located in the space bordered by six perpendicularside plates, and each surface of said central block is in equal distancefrom the relating side of the case. In the free area between the caseand the central block movable blocks are found, the numbers of which areone piece less then the blocks having room in the available space, theirshape is similar to the external case, their one or more surfaces can bedistinguished from the central block. The openings on the sides of thecase make possible to displace said movable blocks, and by selectivelytransferring them a particular interrelation or arrangement can beachieved, which means the realization of the task to be solved.

The characteristic of the plaything according to DE-PS 2,152,360 is inthat in one frame--which expediently borders cubical space--similarlyshaped geometrical bodies are arranged, the edge length of the frame isn-fold of the edge length (n=2, 3, . . . ) of the geometrical bodies,which can be moved in three directions parallel with the edge length ofthe frame, and in the frame n³ -1 pieces geometrical bodies arearranged. The object of the logical plaything is similarly the same asthat of the previous plaything, i.e. the cubical geometrical bodiesdistinguished by symbols to each other should be arranged according to apattern meeting the requirements of the task to be realized andpredetermined in advance.

The patent specification U.S. Pat. No. 4,036,503 describes amanipulative logical plaything, comprising a case having perpendicularparallelepipedon formed transparent back- and front plates, the sideplates of which are narrower than the front- and back plate, said casingcomprises regular polyhedrons with similar form and arranged in acertain number columns next to each other. The number of the polyhedronsis one piece less than the number of polyhedrons which would have roomin the available space of the case, whereby one column contains onepolyhedron less than the other columns.

The width of the side plate and the height of the case are a little bitlarger than the peak distance of the polyhedron, respectively the heightof the highest column, whereby there is a possibility to rotate at leastone polyhedron around its vertical center line by means of carefulmanipulation of the case as well as by means of horizontal torsion ofthe case, and it is also possible to turn to the lower column supportingon the lower edge of the polyhedron being on the top of the highercolumn.

These moving methods make possible to arrange thepolyhedrons--expediently cubes--distinguisbed with symbols to provide apredetermined pattern.

The central block of the plaything according to the first U.S. patentspecification on one hand, takes up the room from the further movableblocks, on the other hand it does not enable that the movable blocksshould circulate in the whole space of the closed case, their motion cantake place only along the six side plates on the surface.

In the case of the second described logical plaything, the movablegeometrical bodies do not abut resiliently to each other and to a frame,therefore, except the case n=2, in the case of n=3, 4 the assembledplaything simply falls to pieces, as it has no side plate. Supposingthat the plaything on its one plate is supported by palm in order toprevent the falling to pieces, it still does not operate, as only theposition of the geometrical bodies being along the edge is determined,in lack of further side plates it does not comprise bounding-guidingsurfaces, whereby their exact, one-unit transfer are not ensured and sothey cannot provide as guiding surface for each other, moreover, theyhinder the motion of the other one. If supposing the improbable statethat each element is in its exact place, the one above the blank roomwill fall down independently of our will by its weight. The systematicarrangement of the cubes inside the plaything is totally impossible dueto the above mentioned reasons.

The manipulation logical plaything according to the third mentioned U.S.patent specification is not a spatial plaything. Their elements are nextto each other, arranged in one plane, their centre of gravity can moveonly two dimensions.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The aim of the invention is to eliminate the above mentioneddisadvantages and realize a spatial element, particularly a logicalplaything improving the stereoscopic or spatial vision and orientation,wherein the parallelepipedon shaped inner space of the plaything isbordered by plates and filled by a number of movable elements being ofnearly similar form to the bordered space, the number of said movableelements being one piece less then the elements having room in theavailable inner space. Hereby the place of one movable element remainsfree. As no central core is available, owing to the special form of saidmovable elements they keep their spatial position against their weightand they can be moved parallel with their edges not only on the surfaceregion of the plaything but in its whole inner space, whereby thevariability, the curiosity, as well as the effect of improvingstereoscopic vision are considerably increased considering the describedknown playthings without having a complicated construction.

Further object of the plaything according to the invention is to developthe aesthetical taste of human being, respectively to determine thelogical steps making efforts to obtain aesthetic appearance.

The aim set is achieved by the invented logical plaything spatialstructure enabling the improvement of spatial or stereoscopicorientation or vision. Said plaything has a parallelepipedon like shapeand is bordered by lattice plates or grids. Inside movable elements arearranged which have a form nearly corresponding or similar form to thatof the bordered space. The number of said elements being one piece lessthan the available inner space can accommodate, said elements aredistinguished by symbols, colours. Said movable elements are resilientlypressing to each other and to the lattice plates, and this pressingeffect keeps their spatial position against their weight. Thedistinguishing symbols os the movable elements in certain case may bearranged to show a pattern of a Vasarely style picture.

Preferably, the shape of the movable elements arranged in the spacebordered by lattice plate is nearly cubical. Said elements are providedwith flexible outward-swollen side plates. The movable elements mayconsist of a central element with side surfaces represented by flexibleinserts.

The movable elements are preferably made of an elastic material withsolid form without any hollow. The movable elements are preferably madeof plastic, possibly of transparent plastic.

Furthermore, it is advantageous, if the lattice plate is made of a metalsuch as aluminium. The lattice plate can also be made of plastic,possibly transparent plastic.

Each movable element has a cubical shape and consists of six identicalflexible square plates. On the edge of these flexible plates preferablyjoining surfaces inclining at the angle of 45° can be found, whereinalternatively slots and ribs are formed, and facing them to each otherthey can be snapped together, whereby the flexible side plates of thecubes are mutually determined by each other and form a quasi-rigidstructure.

Expediently, by means of the plaything, besides the cube, furtherpolyhedrons, geometrical demonstrating means, configurations showing thestructure of the material, other scientific and educational means,objects and playthings with decorative effects can be realized.

So, it is advantageous, if the space bordered by lattice is of cubeform,so the movable elements are also cubes, which contact each other byflexible, thin, side plates with convex surface of great radius, andalong one edge of the bordered space there are "n" pieces plates, whilein the whole space n³ pieces are available (n=2, 3, 4, . . . ).

The movable elements are favourably assembled from thin, flexiblecubical plates or central elements and flexible inserts.

In the case of an other favourable embodiment, the movable element ismade of a solid but flexible material.

The components of the movable elements are made of plastic, possibletransparent plastic, while the lattice plates are made of metal orplastic, possible also transparent plastic material. In the case ofutilizing transparent materials, the structure of the space under thesurface can be also seen, which together with the moving possibilitiesmake the possibility for producing really spatial tasks to be solved.

An other essential aspect of the invention is in that the playthingaccording to the invention enables the multiple utilizations, if itsplates simply but releasably join to each other. For this task such acoupling means should be provided which is rigid enough to keep themoving elements without falling to pieces under the straining effect ofthe resiliently compressed moving elements while using, however, it canbe simply disassembled and there is no need for any tools.

The aimed task has been solved by a coupling arrangement according tothe invention which is suitable for angularly joining flexible platesespecially the lattice side plates of said spatial logical plaything.The coupling means consist of joining elements arranged on the edge ofthe plates, and the edges of the plates form bearing surfaces being inthe median plane of the joining angle of the plates. On the bearingsurfaces ribs and slots are arranged alternatingly. The ribs have afirst surface parallel with the plane of the plates and joining to saidbearing surface, and have an inclined endface joining to said firstsurface. Said slots have a second surface joining to said bearingsurface and perpendicular to the plane of said plate, in coupledposition of the plates, said second surface of a slot of a plate is incontact with said first surface of a corresponding rib of the coupledplate. In joint position between the ribs and the slots joint to themthere is an overlap. Due to this overlap, the ribs and the slots snappedinto each other fix the plates, but thanks to their flexibility it canbe also released.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention is described in detail referring to the enclosed drawingsdemonstrating the embodiment of the solution according to the inventionby way of example, in which:

FIG. 1 is an axonometrical view of the plaything,

FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate a possible and practical construction of thecubical movable element,

FIGS. 4 and 5 show an outer and a sectional view of the plaything aswell as of another preferred type of the movable elements,

FIG. 6 illustrates a movable elements assembled by snapping into eachother flexible quadratic plates,

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the movable element, while

FIG. 8 shows the angles α and β of the lattice plate and of the flexiblequadratic plate as well as their assembled state,

FIG. 9 illustrates the inner side of the lattice plate of the playthingwith the coupling means according to the invention,

FIG. 10 is the lattice plate according to the FIG. 9 showing from thedirection of the edge,

FIG. 11 is the enlarged sectional view of the lattice plate according tothe FIG. 9 along the line XI--XI with the relating details of the otherlattice place joined thereto.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 contain lattice plates 2 having a plurality of holesand embracing a cubical area. This closed space accomodates cubicalmovable elements 1 thereby plates 2 serving as a cage on border and aguiding inner surface. The openings thereon enable moving and observingmovable elements 1. Said movable elements 1 are formed either by theflexible square plates 5 or by a central element 3 and flexible inserts4 and are arranged inside the space bordered by the flexible latticeplate 2.

The movable elements 1 are essentially cubical, but a little convex.While assembling they become a little flattened and compressed,consequently they tend to slightly flexibly expand against each otherand the lattice plates 2, whereby under the effect of frictional forcedeveloping between them they keep their position against their ownweight and do not fall or slip forward blank place.

The section of the movable elements 1 snapped from six flexible squareplates having exactly the same formation according to the FIG. 6 can beseen on the FIG. 7. On the contacting surface of the flexible cubicalplates 5 inclined at the angle of "α" (in case of a cube α=45°) slotsand ribs are alternatingly arranged, which, form complementary pairs andcan be snapped into each other involving flexible deformation causing nobreaking or cracking. The flexible square plates 5 are determiningmutually each other and form a quasi-rigid cubical structure without anyclearance. As it can be seen on FIG. 6 on the connecting contactsurfaces of the flexible plates 5 a hollow 6 can be arranged, whichfacing to each other form slot facilitating thereby the release ordisassembly. The lattice plates 2 can be formed and assembled using thesame principle. The advantages of the mentioned constructional solutionare as follows:

one type of components can be utilized for assembling said movableelement 1;

the flexible square plate 5 is thin with inconsiderable material needs;

the six flexible square plates 5 forming the movable element 1 can be ofsix different colours, there is no need for post-colouring, printing inorder to distinguish the movable elements 1;

quick assembling by means of snapping in without the use of anyadhesive, simple disassembling.

The above mentioned advantages ensure together economical, practicalmanufacture as well as the reliable quality.

The plates 5 of the movable elements 1 can be provided with a design orcolour, that e.g. realizing a particular arrangement a characteristicappearance e.g. that of a Vasarely style picture can be formed. Thisrenders considerable help for realizing a prescribed or wantedconfiguration besides the aesthetic quality.

The use of the plaything according to the invention is described asfollows:

Taking into hand a plaything being in a random arrangement and knowingthe spatial pattern to be realized by rearranging the movable elements 1one of the movable elements 1 can be slided in the direction of theblank room by overcoming the developed frictional force by fingersthrough the openings of the lattice plates 2.

The movable elements 1 can be moved from three directions of the spacetowards the blank room available on the tips, sides or edges. Thementioned moving can be complete or partial considering the lines andcolumns of elements 1. If the blank room can be found on an edge orcorner, in this case moving can take place only on the surface in threedirections. If the blank room can be found on any of the sides of theplaything, in this case moving in two directions can take place on thesurface (in two directions) while the third direction moving can berealized inside the plaything.

A blank or free room can be realized for example on the edges or on theplates between the contacting surfaces of the two determined movableelements 1 at some opening of the lattice plates 2, that the mentionedcontacting surfaces are moved into the middle of the openings whereby ablank room is formed. To obtain a blank room at a corner, the movableelement 1 being there will be moved toward the blank room on the freesurface perpendicular to the direction of the moving. At changing theplace movable elements 1 should be caused to move up to impact, in thiscase the lattice plates 2 and movable elements 1 provide guide to eachother. By using the above mentioned moving methods any spatial relation,pattern can be realized between the distinguished movable elements 1, sodoes the aimed task can be solved.

The constructional formation of FIG. 7 enables creating besides thecube, various spatial figures joint by polyhedrons by means ofconnecting adequately shaped flexible plates in order to form spatialgeometrical demonstration means, figures showing the structure of thematerial, other, scientific and educational means, objects andplaythings with decorative effects. Depending on the various polyhedrontypes, the angle "α" means the half of the angle included by two wallsof the polyhedron. For example, in the case of a dodecahedron (consistsof 12 pcs pentagons) β=116°,56°, α=58°,28°.

FIG. 6 shows the form of said hollow 6 enabling disassembling thelogical plaything according to the invention or the various spatialfigures joint by polyhedrons in order to change initial pattern by meansof a new assembling order between the symbols and colours of the properformed flexible plates 5 bordering the polyhedrons. By this means, newtasks can be created, other spatial figures can be formed by joiningpolyhedrons, new colour effect and formation can be achieved.

FIGS. 9 to 11 show the preferred embodiment of the plate 2, and this atthe same time represents the coupling means according to another aspectof the invention. The edges of the lattice plate 2 and another plate 28of the same geometry abut to each other along a bearing surface 26laying in the median plane 10 of the planes characteristic to plate 2and plate 28. The coupling means contains slots 12 and ribs 14 arrangedalternatingly along the plates 2 joining angularly to each other, in thepresent case they join perpendicularly to each other. The slots 12 sinkperpendicularly to the plain of the plate 2 and extend at least partlyon the bearing surface of the plate 2. The slot 12 has a second surface16 extending to the bearing surface 26, which is perpendicular to theplane of the plate 2 and parallel with the plane of the adjoining plate28. The ribs 14 protrude from the bearing surface 26 parallel with thedirection of the plane of the plates 2, 28, their height can beaccommodated in slots 12. The length of the ribs 14 is less than therelating slots 12. The ribs 14 have surfaces 18 in joint positioncontacting with the surface 16 of the slots 12, and to the surface 18inclined endfaces 20 are connected. The edge at the joint of surfaces 18and endfaces 20 can be rounded. The edge of the surface 16 of the slots12 at the bearing surface 26 can be also rounded. The external edge ofthe plates 2 and 28 is bevelled at their juncture, but not necessarily.

In released position approaching plate 28 (see FIG. 11, outline withdashed line) in direction of arrow 24 to the plate 2 the ribs 14 impactto the bearing surface 26. The same will take place, if plates 2 and 28are approached to each other in a direction perpedicular to median plane10. However, thanks to the slope of the endface 20 and to the roundedform of the contacting edges of surfaces 16 and 18 at snapping the sideplates 2 and 28 will be deflected laterally, perpendicularly to theirplane and take an undulated form corresponding to the alternatingarrangement of the ribs 14 and the slots 12, meanwhile the ribs 14 snapinto the slots 12. The greater is the rate of the depth and the lengthof the slots 12 with respect to ribs 14, the easier is realized thissnapping. After snapping the edges of the plates 2 and 28 willstraighten and flexible fit comes into being between them. The strengthof the connection is influenced by the length of the ribs 14 and theslots 12, the extent of the rounding-off, the rigidity of the plates 2and 28, (more exactly their flexibility), and the size of theoverlapping--as it can be seen on FIG. 11--which can be measured in theplane parallel with the median plane 10.

It is appreciated that the coupling means shown on FIGS. 9 to 11, can beapplied for joining angularly, especially perpendicularly the edges ofany of the flat plate type bodies, if at least the edges of the platecan be flexibly corrugated perpendicular to the plane of the plate. Bythe aid of this structure for example, boxes, walls, and folding-screencan be formed.

This coupling means makes possible to separate from each other sideplates 2 of the plaything according to the invention, to change orreplace the movable elements 1, or their pattern or order or orientationcan be rearranged. Hereby any start position can be simply formed, theobject and the process of the play can be changed.

We claim:
 1. A logical plaything for improving stereoscopic visioncomprising;plastic lattice plates releasably joined to each other todefine a confined space; movable elements located displaceably insidesaid space, the number of said movable elements being one piece lessthan the elements having room in said space, and at least some of saidmovable elements having distinguishing symbols and/or colorscharacterized in that said movable elements are provided withelastically compressible convex side surfaces and have outer dimensionsadapted to fit in compressed state into the space confined by saidlattice plates; said lattice plates comprising joining elements arrangedon the edge of the plates formed by bearing surfaces being in a medianplane of the joining angle of two adjacent plates; said joining elementscomprising ribs and slots arranged alternating on said bearing surfaces;said ribs comprising a first surface parallel with the plane of saidplates and joining to the bearing surface, and an inclined endfacejoining to said first surface; said slot comprising a second surfacejoining to the bearing surface and perpendicular to the plane of theplate, wherein in joined position of two adjacent plates, said secondsurface is in contact with said first surface and said ribs and saidslots overlap.
 2. The plaything of claim 1, wherein the joining edge ofsaid first surface and said bearing surface, and of said second surfaceand said endface are rounded.
 3. A plaything comprisinglattice platesreleasably joined defining a confined space; elastically compressiblemovable elements located within said space; said lattice platescomprising cooperating joining elements arranged on the edge of theplates formed by bearing surfaces being in a median plane of the joiningangle of two adjacent plates; and said joining elements comprising ribsand slots arranged alternating on said bearing surfaces, wherein in ajoined configuration said ribs of a first lattice plate and slots of asecond lattice plate join by interlocking.
 4. The plaything of claim 3,whereinsaid ribs comprising a first surface parallel with the plane ofsaid plates and joining to the bearing surface, and an inclined endfacejoining to said first surface; said slot comprising a second surfacejoining to the bearing surface and perpendicular to the plane of theplate, wherein in joined position of two adjacent plates, said secondsurface is in contact with said first surface and said ribs and saidslots overlap.
 5. The plaything of claim 3, wherein said lattice platesremain sufficiently rigid to keep said movable elements contained withinsaid space during movement of said movable elements, yet yields to aforce applied at said lattice plate edge to disjoin said ribs of saidfirst lattice plate from said slots of said second lattice plate.
 6. Alogical plaything for improving stereoscopic vision comprising plasticlattice plates releasably joined together to confine a space, said spacecontaining movable elements located displaceably inside said space, thenumber of said movable elements being one piece less than the elementshaving room in said space, and at least some of said movable elementshaving distinguishing symbols and/or colors, said lattice platescomprising joining elements arranged on the edge of the plates formed bybearing surfaces being in a median plane of the joining angle of twoadjacent plates, said joining elements are ribs and slots arrangedalternating on said bearing surfaces and said ribs have a first surfaceparallel with the plane of the plates and joining to the bearingsurface, and have an inclined endface joining to said first surface,said slot comprising a second surface joining to the bearing surface andperpendicular to the plane of the plate, in joined position of twoadjacent plates said second surface is in contact with said firstsurface, in joint position between said ribs and said slots joint tothem there is an overlap, wherein said movable elements are providedwith elastically compressible convex side surfaces and said movableelements have outer dimensions adapted to fit in compressed state intothe space confined by said lattice plates.
 7. The logical plaything ofclaim 6, wherein joining edges of said first surface and said bearingsurface and joining edges of said second surface and said endface arerounded.
 8. A logical plaything for improving stereoscopic visioncomprising lattice plates releasably joined together to confine a space,said space containing movable elements located displaceably inside saidspace, the number of said movable elements being one piece less than theelements having room in said space, and at least some of said movableelements having distinguishing symbols and/or colors,wherein saidmovable elements are provided with elastically compressible convex sidesurfaces and said movable elements have outer dimensions adapted to fitin compressed state into the space confined by said lattice plates andsaid movable elements consists of six pieces of identical flexiblesquare plates, said flexible square plates comprising edge surfacesinclining at an angle of 45°, slots and ribs on said edge surfaces,wherein ribs of a first plate releasably engage facing slots of anadjoining second plate to perpendicularly join said first plate withsaid second plate.